His Beatitude '''Metropolitan Volodymyr''' (in the world ''Viktor Sabodan'') is the Metropolitan of Kiev and all Ukraine and Primate of the [[Church of Ukraine|Ukrainian Orthodox Church]]. He was born in the Khmelnytskyi region of Ukraine on [[November 23]] ([[November 10]] in the [[Julian Calendar|Old Calendar]]), 1935, to a family of peasants. He currently lives in the [[Monastery of the Kiev Caves|Kiev Pechersk Lavra]] and is the [[Lavra]]'s [[Archimandrite]].

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His Beatitude '''Metropolitan Vladimir''' ('''Volodymyr''', secular name '''Viktor Markianovich Sabodan''') is the Metropolitan of Kiev and all Ukraine and Primate of the [[Church of Ukraine|Ukrainian Orthodox Church]].

He was born in the Khmelnytskyi region of Ukraine on [[November 23]] ([[November 10]] in the [[Julian Calendar|Old Calendar]]), 1935, to a family of peasants. He currently lives in the [[Monastery of the Kiev Caves|Kiev Pechery Lavra]] and is the [[Lavra]]'s [[Archimandrite]].

==Seminary==

==Seminary==

After the young Viktor Sabodan graduated from secondary school in Eastern Ukraine, he then proceeded straight to the Odessa Theological Seminary. Following that, Viktor went onto the St. Petersburg Theological Academy and graduated from the Academy with the degree of "Candidate of Theology." On [[June 14]], 1962 he was [[ordination|ordained]] to the [[Deacon|Holy Diaconate]] and the following day to the [[Presbyter|Holy Priesthood]]. In August of that year he was [[tonsure]]d a [[monk]], taking the name Volodymyr (Vladimir) in honour of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Great Prince [[Vladimir of Kiev|Vladimir]], Baptiser of Rus' (modern day Ukraine and Russia).

After the young Viktor Sabodan graduated from secondary school in Eastern Ukraine, he then proceeded straight to the Odessa Theological Seminary. Following that, Viktor went onto the St. Petersburg Theological Academy and graduated from the Academy with the degree of "Candidate of Theology." On [[June 14]], 1962 he was [[ordination|ordained]] to the [[Deacon|Holy Diaconate]] and the following day to the [[Presbyter|Holy Priesthood]]. In August of that year he was [[tonsure]]d a [[monk]], taking the name Volodymyr (Vladimir) in honour of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Great Prince [[Vladimir of Kiev|Vladimir]], Baptiser of Rus' (modern day Ukraine and Russia).

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In 1962 he was sent to teach at the Odessa Theological Seminary, and in 1965 he completed the post-graduate course at the Moscow Theological Academy. Following his graduation he was appointed [[Rector]] of the Odessa Theological Seminary and elevated to the rank of [[archimandrite]].

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In 1962 he was sent to teach at the Odessa Theological Seminary, and in 1965 he completed the post-graduate course at the [[Moscow Theological Academy and Seminary|Moscow Theological Academy]]. Following his graduation he was appointed [[Rector]] of the Odessa Theological Seminary and elevated to the rank of [[archimandrite]].

==Episcopacy==

==Episcopacy==

On [[July 9]], 1966 Archimandrite Vladimir was consecrated to the [[bishop|episcopacy]] with the title of Bishop of Zvenigirod by His Eminence Metropolitan Krutitski and Kolomenski Pimen, who later became the [[patriarch]].

On [[July 9]], 1966 Archimandrite Vladimir was consecrated to the [[bishop|episcopacy]] with the title of Bishop of Zvenigirod by His Eminence Metropolitan Krutitski and Kolomenski Pimen, who later became the [[patriarch]].

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In 1992, after Metropolitan [[Filaret (Denysenko) of Kiev]] was defrocked, the Kharkiv Sobor elected Volodymyr as Metropolitan of Kiev and all Ukraine and as primate of the newly minted, autonomous church.

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In 1992, after Metropolitan [[Filaret (Denysenko) of Kiev]] was defrocked, the Kharkiv Sobor elected Vladimir as Metropolitan of Kiev and all Ukraine and as primate of the newly minted, autonomous church.

Seminary

After the young Viktor Sabodan graduated from secondary school in Eastern Ukraine, he then proceeded straight to the Odessa Theological Seminary. Following that, Viktor went onto the St. Petersburg Theological Academy and graduated from the Academy with the degree of "Candidate of Theology." On June 14, 1962 he was ordained to the Holy Diaconate and the following day to the Holy Priesthood. In August of that year he was tonsured a monk, taking the name Volodymyr (Vladimir) in honour of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Great Prince Vladimir, Baptiser of Rus' (modern day Ukraine and Russia).

In 1962 he was sent to teach at the Odessa Theological Seminary, and in 1965 he completed the post-graduate course at the Moscow Theological Academy. Following his graduation he was appointed Rector of the Odessa Theological Seminary and elevated to the rank of archimandrite.

Episcopacy

On July 9, 1966 Archimandrite Vladimir was consecrated to the episcopacy with the title of Bishop of Zvenigirod by His Eminence Metropolitan Krutitski and Kolomenski Pimen, who later became the patriarch.

In 1992, after Metropolitan Filaret (Denysenko) of Kiev was defrocked, the Kharkiv Sobor elected Vladimir as Metropolitan of Kiev and all Ukraine and as primate of the newly minted, autonomous church.